Short Summary

Demonstrations and clashes between protesters and police over the death of the Baader-Meinhof anarchist group leader, Ulrike Meinhof spread to Stuttgart in West Germany and West Berlin on Tuesday (11 May).

Description

Demonstrations and clashes between protesters and police over the death of the Baader-Meinhof anarchist group leader, Ulrike Meinhof spread to Stuttgart in West Germany and West Berlin on Tuesday (11 May).

According to Reuters, the West German police estimated that a few hundred demonstrators marched past Stammheim Prison in Stuttgart where Freu Meinhof was found hanged on Sunday (9 May). A large number of police were on duty for the demonstration but no incidents were reported.

Meanwhile, in West Berlin, the authorities faced a more violent demonstration as police and protesters clashed in a series of running street battles. Vehicles were overturned by some protesters as police reported a number of arrests.

Supporters of Ulrike Meinhof have claimed that the 40-year-old former journalist and divorced mother of two children was murdered by the West German authorities. In spite of repeated official denials that Frau Meinhof had definitely committed suicide by hanging herself in her cell, her death has prompted bombings and demonstrations throughout Europe.

The death of Ulrike Meinhof came during her trial with other members of the Baader-Meinhof group on a variety of charges ranging from murder to bank robbery and kidnapping. Her trial was expected to last a considerable time -- some legal experts suggested years and her lawyers claimed in court that the judicial authorities had driven their client to suicide.

SYNOPSIS: Stuttgart, West Germany where, on tuesday, demonstrators protesting over the death of the Baader-Meinhof group leader, Ulrike Meinhof marched past the jail where she died. Police were out in force by the Stammheim maximum security prison but no incidents were reported.

Supporters of the 41-year-old former journalist have claimed that Frau Meinhof was murdered by the authorities -- a claim vigorously refuted. The police have stated that she committed suicide by hanging herself in her cell.

Meanwhile, in West Berlin there were clashes over Frau Meinhof's death. The police said that they arrested a number of protesters after a series of violent street battles.

The incidents in Berlin were typical of the violent clashes in West Germany earlier this week. In particular, in Frankfurt -- where several people were seriously hurt. Elsewhere in Europe bombings and demonstrations marked the death of Frau Meinhof.